

Photo courtesy of 41° North
The Rocky River winds through the western suburbs of Cleveland, eventually feeding into Lake Erie. A trip here will allow casual paddlers to explore the Cleveland Metroparks' Rocky River Reservation, marveling at the pristine water, magnificent shale cliffs and lush greenery. 41° North is the most convenient rental destination if you're planning to paddle the Rocky River, but you can also easily venture to other nearby paddling destinations. The rental shop offers high-quality sea kayaking instruction for all levels and offers a wide range of affordable ways to get in the water, including hourly rentals, 2.5-hour sunset tours, full-day outings and multi-day adventures.
Photo courtesy of Lake Metroparks
Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park is situated in the heart of Lake County on Lake Erie's shore, and is an easily accessible option for those wanting to try their hand at open-water kayaking on the lake. The park offers rental options including sit-on-top ocean kayaks and stand-up paddle boards, and you can also register for private lessons or sunset trips!
Put-In-Bay is an adventurer's paradise. Not only is it one of Ohio's most popular summertime getaways, it's also a fantastic place to go camping. Since it's an island, there are naturally lots of opportunities for swimming and boating — each more picturesque than the last. Refuge Harbor, Squaw Harbor and Oak Point State Park are all fantastic places to start!
North Coast Harbor is conveniently located near FirstEnergy Stadium and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame! Set off from the dock for a paddling trip against a spectacular backdrop of the Cleveland skyline. Once you're done, you can relax on the green space next to the harbor and enjoy a picnic. Your best bet for rentals in the area is the Rock & Dock, which offers paddle boat, jet ski, kayak and paddleboard rentals.



Photo courtesy of the National Park Service
Visit one of the prettiest destinations in Cuyahoga Valley National Park! Spring Creek drops fifteen feet over smooth Berea sandstone to a layer of Bedford shale below — and when the sun is sparkling through the trees just right, it's a photographer's dream! The hike to get there is not strenuous. Walk a half mile on the Blue Hen Falls Trail from the trailhead at 2001 Boston Mills Road, crossing Spring Creek via an old wooden bridge, until you reach your destination.

Photo courtesy of Lake Metroparks
If you're looking for minimum hiking with maximum views, Paine Falls Park is your spot. Conveniently located along I-90, the small metropark features restrooms, grills, a picnic area, picturesque bridges and a stunning, two-tiered waterfall. It's the perfect rest stop on a trip, but also a wonderful destination for a peaceful afternoon.

Photo courtesy of Chagrin Falls
Chagrin Falls (the namesake of the small town they reside in) are unique in that they are located smack dab in the center of an urban area. The falls are perfect for an afternoon picnic, fishing or even a quick dip! In fact, they made our list of the best swimming holes near Cleveland. Walk down the stairs from the street to access all of it!